Journal of Forensic Research

Use of Pornography with Sex Offenders in Treatment: A Controversial Conundrum

Abstract

Scott Allen Johnson

I write this article and literature review to address the issue of incorporating pornography into sex offender treatment programs. I was asked the above question by a handful of probation who supervise sexual offenders and the treatment providers indicated that they would be utilizing pornography as part of sex offender treatment. This creates a problem in that for the sexual offender on probation or parole, they may have court ordered restrictions prohibiting use or possession of any type of pornographic material.

My dilemma is that I find there is no research support for utilizing pornography in any type of treatment for violent and/or sexually violent offenders. The literature is rich, however, with information about the negative impact of pornography for the violent and sexually violent offender. Remember that the violent and sexually violent offender (including some child pornography users), present with significant risk factors and psychological factors that forever place them at risk for violent and/or sexually violent re-offense. Most risk factors are static, that is, they do not go away with treatment or age. For example, having a history of violent or sexually violent behavior will never change, age when the first offense occurred and/or a history of family problems, attachment or intimacy problems or a current or more serious psychological problems do not go away either. To utilize pornography with offenders presenting with such risk factors does not appear supported by the literature and raises concerns for offenders to resume or continue to engage in deviant fantasies via pornography use that may well lead to a violent or sexual reoffense.